The Daisy Spy Ring

In this original and unique story, Henning van Aswegen, a former lecturer at South Africa’s National Intelligence Academy, and the historian Peter M Swanepoel provide an in-depth analytical account of South Africa’s intelligence services and espionage operations. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Daisy Spy Ring reported on the competition between Moscow and liberal, socio-democratic Western governments to “capture the revolution” in South Africa. This story has remained secret for 40 years and has never been told before. Until now.

Henning van Aswegen was born in Bloemfontein and served as a commissioned officer in the South African Defence Force (SADF) and South Africa’s civilian intelligence services. As a student at Potchefstroom University, he worked as a stringer for South African Associated Newspapers (SAAN) and later joined the Perskor Group as a political correspondent. He is an intelligence historian and author, known for his books Spioenmeesters, The Spymasters of South Africa, Die Buro, Training Intelligence Officers, and Russian Espionage in South Africa.

Peter M Swanepoel was born in Vryheid and studied political science, philosophy, and historical studies at the University of Johannesburg. He later pursued post-graduate studies in intelligence and international relations at King’s College London. His academic paper, “The International University Exchange Fund (1977-1980)” (2016), inspired The Daisy Spy Ring. He now researches and writes on the history of cycling in South Africa.